Neighbor charged with murder in Keansburg girl’s death

<p>An 18-year-old man accused of killing his 11-year-old neighbor appeared in court Friday afternoon.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jul 13, 2017, 2:27 PM

Updated 2,487 days ago

Share:

An 18-year-old man accused of killing his 11-year-old neighbor appeared in court Friday afternoon.
Andreas Erazo is accused of stabbing Abbiegail Smith to death. Erazo lived above Smith’s family at the Hancock Arms Apartments in Keansburg.
In a court appearance that lasted less than 10 minutes, Erazo was officially charged with first-degree murder.
Friends and family members of Smith filled the courtroom to see Erazo’s first appearance. Many of them audibly gasped when they learned he had allegedly stabbed the young girl to death.
Smith’s mother yelled at Erazo after the hearing.
“You killed my only daughter and you won’t look me in the eye?” she said.
Smith’s mother reported her missing around 9 p.m. Wednesday. The girl’s body was found around 10:20 a.m. Thursday wrapped in a blanket on top of one of the rear roofs of the complex. It was originally reported that the body was found inside a metal container in the back of the complex.
Officials say that Erazo was arrested not long after the body was found.
Investigators spent most of Thursday gathering evidence inside Erazo’s apartment.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni says that Smith’s murder was one of the most “heinous crimes” of his career.
“This was difficult. All are difficult, but especially when involving a child,” he says.
Smith was in fifth grade. Mourners have set up a large memorial outside the apartment complex where Smith died.
Erazo was ordered to be held without bail. He is expected back in court Wednesday.


More from News 12
1:11
Injury at Morristown NJ Transit station leads to train service delays

Injury at Morristown NJ Transit station leads to train service delays

2:30
Rain throughout Sunday for New Jersey

Rain throughout Sunday for New Jersey

1:50
Curfew enforcement for kids under 17 now in effect in Newark

Curfew enforcement for kids under 17 now in effect in Newark

1:06
Overnight fire destroys home in Lakewood

Overnight fire destroys home in Lakewood

1:46
Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

Officials: Man killed in house explosion in South River identified as retired Newark officer

0:42
NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

0:28
Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

Special election to be held to fill late Rep. Donald Payne’s seat in Congress

0:42
Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

Jersey Proud: Army ROTC students from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Princeton train together

1:32
Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

Knowing the early warning signs during Stroke Awareness Month

0:27
Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

Prosecutor: 2 people seriously injured in 3-car crash; driver charged with drunk driving

0:30
Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

Police: New York man pointed knife at pro-Palestinian protester in Teaneck

0:27
Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

Officials: Paterson man threatened to ‘shoot up’ JFK Int’l Airport

2:02
Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

Authorities: Major fire displaces 20 people from 9 families in Elizabeth

1:04
Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

Hillsborough school officials vote to end middle school sports, make staff cuts amid budget cuts

0:49
Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

Bridgewater-Raritan School District waives fees to participate in clubs, sports

0:39
Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

Officials: 3 pedestrians, including 2 children, struck by NYC-based news van in Elizabeth

0:28
GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

GoFundMe started for 6-month-old boy and his grandfather killed by fallen tree in Verona

0:40
Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

Main Street New Jersey: Restaurants, businesses to visit in Edgewater

3:21
Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning